Table operating mechanism



J. BROMAN.

TABLE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, I920.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

ful Table Operating Mechanism, of which eorntnnoman, or woacnsrrna, massacnusn'rrs.

TABLE OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 29, 1921 Application m a March 1c, 1920. Serial naiaeesoi.

To all whom it may concern; l

Be it known that I, JOHN BROMAN, acitizen of the United States, residing at. Worcester, in the county of Worcester andState of Massachusetts, have invented a new and use the following is a specification. p

This invention relates to a table operating mechanism, particularly designed for use in a cloth folding machine. The. table of such a machine is gradually moved downwardly as the load of cloth thereon accumu lates and is commonly further depressed, to permit removal of the cloth. It is then necessary to raise the table to its or ginal osition before more cloth can be folded.

A The table is of heavy construction and frequent repetition of the raising operation extremely laborious. In fact ,it is found impossible to employ female or small help on I folding machines on account of this table lifting operation. p l

It is the object of my invention to provide improved table operatin mechanism by means of which a heavy ta le may be easily raised and returned to its original osition. In the preferred form I also provi e means for adjusting the mechanism to adapt it to different conditions. 1

An important feature of my invention re- ,lates to the provision of a member in the mechanism by which the effect of a spring device on the table is varied as the table rises. My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will. be hereinafter described and more articularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of my invention is shown in the drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved table operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlar ed side elevation of an ad'ustablecam-mem er;

ig. 3 is a plan view thereof, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of one of the connecting links.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown herein a folding machine table 10 guided vertically between frame portions 11 and 12, and limited in its upward movement by fixed members 13. A lever 14 is pivoted at 15 to a fixed bracket 16, and is connected by links 17 to bell cranks 18 mounted on fixed pivots 19 and also connected by links 20 to the table 10. One of the bell-cranks 18 is also provided with an additional arm 21 connected by a link22 to a foot lever 23 mounted on a fixed pivot 24.

Each link 17 comprises telescoping portlons 17 and 17 the portion 17 being recessed PQIGCGIVG the end of the portion 17" and being also provided with a slot 25 and with an endfiange or collar 26. A screw or stud 27 extends through the slot 25 into the portion 17' and limits longitudinal movementithereof in both directions. A spring 28 is interposed between-the flange 26 and a collar. 29 on the portion 17 and yieldingly maintains the link at its extreme length. Whenever either side of the table 10 is depressed to insert an additional fold of cloth, the corresponding link 17 yields to permit such depression without at the same time depresslng the opposite side of the table, which Would release the cloth already folded.

A spring device 30*is secured to the floor or. other fixedsupport. The device 30 and the lever 14.- are connected by chains or other flexibleconnections 31 and 32 to a double cam-l1ke member 33 mounted on a fixed pivot 34.; The cam-like member two portions 35 andl36, the portion 36 bein mounted upon the-hub of the portion 35 an belng adjustably secured thereto by a screw 37 extending through a slot 38 in the portion 36 andthreaded into the portion 35. The

chain or other .fiexible connection 31 connects the portion 36 to the lever 14 and the similar-chain 32 connects the portion 35 to the sprin device 30. A series of holes may be provi ed in thelever14 to any one of which the chain 31 may be connected.

Having described the details of constructlon of my invention the operation thereof is as follows Assuming that the table is in lowest position, the parts will be in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The spring device 30 will be tensioned and the chain 32 will be acting at the shortest effective radius of the portion 35 of the cam device 33. At the same time the chain 31 will also be acting at the shortest effective radius of the cam portion 36 of the device 33. Pressure is now applied to the foot lever 23 and the table is moved upward under the combined influence of the lever 23'and the spring device 30, the spring device, however, performing most of the work. The cam device 33 acts as a lever to multiply the movement of the spring device 30 and produces much greater movement of the lever 14.

As the table moves upward the effective radii at which the chains 31 and 32 operate increase in different ratios, while at the same time the springs in the spring device contract and grow weaker. As a net result, the device 30 acts less strongly on the table as the table approaches its upper position. At

the same time however, .the foot lever 23 has 7 as setforth' in the claims,and I do-not wish to .be otherwise limited to thedetails herein disclosed, but what .I claim is 1 1. Operating mechanism for a table, com- 1 prising a lever mounted on a fixed pivot,-

'yieldable' connections from said lever at z; points on opposite sidesofits pivotto the opposite sides of said table, a-spring device, motion increasing connections between said spring'deviceandsaid lever, anda foot lever forming a part of said operating mechanism.

- 2.:An operating mechanism' for a" table,

increasing connectionsbetween said springdeviee and said lever, and a foot lever con nected 'to operate with said spring device in raising said table.

comprising alever mounted on a-fixed pivot, connections from saldlever to the sldes of said. table, said connectionsjea-ch including a compressible link} a spring device, motion- 3.:Operating mechanism for a table, comrisin a lever mounted on a fixed ivot P b separate 'yieldablenconnections for said lever to each side of said table, a foot lever, a

the table to raised nected to said lever and to said spring device and producing a relatively large movement or said lever corresponding toa relatively small movement of said spring device.

4. Operating mechanism for a table, comprising a lever mounted on a fixed pivot, separate yieldable connections from said lever to each side of said table, a foot lever, a spring device, and connections between said spring device and said first lever, said connections including a member effective to increase the motion between said spring device and said table and to change the effective action of said springs as the table H'IOVOS vertically.

5. Operating mechanism for a table, comprising a lever mounted on a fixed pivot, separate yieldable connections from said lever to each side of said table, a foot lever, a' spring device, and connections between said spring device and said first lever, said connections including a member flexibly connected to said lever and to said spring device and adjustableto vary the movement of said lever and table corresponding to a given movement ofsaid spring device.

6. Operating mechanism for a table, comprising a lever, means to move said lever, and separate connections from said lever to each side of said table, each connection including a compressible link permitting one side of the table to be depressed while the other remains in the same vertical position.

'TJOperating mechanism for a table, comprising a lever separately connected to each side of said table, a spring device, a double adjustable cam like member, and flexible connections from said member to said spring device and to said lever.

- In testimony whereof I have hereunto afli'xed my signature.

' 7 JOHN BROMAN. 

